L.A. murder suspect arrested in Tucumcari

December 4, 2003

Ryan Lengerich

A California man was arrested last month in Tucumcari after police said he shot and killed a man in North Hollywood, Calif., then disappeared from the scene.
New Mexico State Police learned on Nov. 22 that Marchell Wilson, 27, of Lancaster, Calif., was wanted for firearms violations and homicide. Officials in California said he was on a Greyhound bus headed east on Interstate 40. The bus was planning a brief stop in Tucumcari and local help with the man’s arrest was requested.
Ben Hazen of the New Mexico State Police said Wilson was identified and arrested about 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Greyhound bus stop on First Street.
“He was very cooperative and did not have any firearms with him,” Hazen said.
Wilson was taken to the Quay County Detention Center and later extradited back to California, officials said.
California authorities said police responded to a shooting on Nov. 20 in which a 26-year-old man died. Wilson and the victim were visiting a woman who was the mother of children from both men. An argument ensued and police said they believe Wilson shot the victim and fled the scene on foot.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Martin Pinner said Wilson may have been traveling to Detroit to see family members when he was stopped in Tucumcari.
Pinner said LAPD received a tip that Wilson was on a bus heading east.
“He had called family and friends from several stops along the way,” Pinner said.
Wilson is being held in California on more than $2 million bond, officials said.